Question

How can I create a file in the directory in which my application is installed?

I’ve tried the following, and it doesn’t work. Basically I need to be able to create the file in C:\Program Files\MyAppName\ on Windows XP or C:\Program Files(x86)\MyAppName on Windows Vista and newer.

SaveStringToFile("{pf}\{#MyAppName}\Registration.txt", Serial, False);

Answer 1

It’s better to use the special constant {app}, in case the user chooses a different directory to install it in.

SaveStringToFile(ExpandConstant('{app}\Registration.txt'), Serial, False);

To save the file in the Application Data directory (shared by all users), use the constant {commonappdata} instead of {app}.

Note that {app} points to “C:\Program Files\My Application\” (or wherever the user chose to install the application and depending on the OS). {commonappdata}, on the other hand, points to the root of the Application Data directory, so it’d be good idea in this case to add a directory for your app, (or company and app):

For example:

SaveStringToFile(ExpandConstant('{commonappdata}\Foobar Corporation\Our Application\Registration.txt'), Serial, False);